2020 Virtual BEAR Innovation Competition Winners
This year’s competition drew students from across years and majors. There were 3 female contestants and 9 males. They included 2 freshmen, 6 juniors and 4 seniors. The majors represented included Computer Science, English, Psychology, Music, Neuroscience, and Applied Economics. We are truly grateful for the unwavering support of Will Abele ’61, who through his gracious generosity, provides this engaging experience for Ursinus students.
First Place - $3,500 Prize: “The Artist formerly known as Lucifer” - Tommy Armstrong, English, 2020
A tragicomedy film about art, depression, and the devil. In this film, the demon, Lucifer, possesses a young adult and experiences a barrage of human emotions such as nervousness and depression. Looking for the most human remedy to these feelings, he sets out to become an artist and experience life in a new tone.
Second Place - $2,500 Prize: “The Senator’s Daughter” - Julia Ewing, Applied Economics, 2021
A unique event venue designed to become the town-anchor of Jefferson, Ohio by capturing the large tourism market that travels to the area annually. Through its wide-ranging business components, the Senator’s Daughter’s purpose is to provide optimal leisure and hospitality services for locals and visitors alike.
Third Place - $1,500 Prize: “Pactolus” - Athena Gainey, MCS, 2020 & Hijab Hiruy, Neuroscience, 2020
A social enterprise that looks to address recidivism by tackling the high unemployment rate of former convicts. Pactolus is committed to challenging the high rates of prison re-arrest and homelessness among this group while also seeking a change in the systematic oppression in the American criminal justice system. By offering resources and guidance in entrepreneurship and employment for released prison convicts, Pactolus hopes to combat the stigma that former convicts face.
Ready, Set, Go - $2000 Prize: “The Orchard” - Abbie Painter, Psychology, 2023
A performance coffeehouse to be hosted in the Ursinus Commons. Allowing for students and the community alike to enjoy entertainment and refreshments. The Orchard looks to engage the entire Collegeville community through the appreciation of art and local talent.
Best Oral Presentation - $500 Prize: “Argo” - David Schaeffer, 2023
A mobile application that creates and organizes grocery shopping lists to avoid the stress one may face while shopping for their families. Argo looks to provide relief for the forgetful shopper through active planning and reminders
The great part of the program BEAR Innovation program is that it has evolved to students not only pitching their ideas, but students taking action on those ideas and learning from the hands-on experience. Their projects usually are an extension of their major and a way of applying what they have learned in the classroom in a different way. It was great to see that the students came from all different majors. We continue to support experiential learning, with a liberal arts education students from all majors are able to express and pursue their ideas.